- - Pike/Bass set up
(http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/northeast/41451-pike-bass-set-up.html)

adkwiley

08-24-2010 06:02 AM

Pike/Bass set up

I was wondering if you guys could give me a lil help. I want to get out after some pike and bass with my 8wt. I tied up a bunch of big ol flies, streamers, popers, dahlbergh divers etc. and last time i was out I had a hell of a time casting them. The only thing i could think of is that maybe my leader was too long. What do you guys usually use , leader length and wt?

Rip Tide

08-24-2010 08:14 AM

Re: Pike/Bass set up

Sounds to me like you have too much leader or at least a leader not heavy enough in the butt.
Bass and pike are not leader shy and I never use a leader longer than about 8' and with a popper I might go as short as 6'.
For optimal transfer of energy your leader needs to have a long heavy butt,(about 60% of the total length) then a short mid section taper (20%) leading to the tippet(20%) A simple 8' hand tied leader might have 4' of 35# test mono, 2' of 25#, and 2' of 12#.
In the wind and with monster flies, try a leader with a 70%/10%/20% taper

Another issue you may have is that you're casting "too well". :yikes:
With large air resistant flies, you need to cast with a slower, open loop. Not the tight loop you may be accustom to with trout flies
The bigger and more soggy the fly, the larger the loop